Emergency services tested at Tuncurry

MORE than 100 emergency service personnel will be descending on Tuncurry's Fazio Park tomorrow

MORE than 100 emergency service personnel will be descending on Tuncurry's Fazio Park tomorrow, when the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) hosts a joint multi- agency emergency management exercise code named "Calamitas".

The aim of the exercise is to test the ability of emergency services to work cooperatively and effectively in managing a large scale incident.

The exercise will be based around an incident occurring on Wallis Island and will involve representatives from the NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW SES, Marine Rescue, Great Lakes Council, Greater Taree City Council, Surf Life Saving Australia, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

"The exercise will provide a great opportunity to reinforce and build on the excellent working relationships between emergency services on the Mid North Coast.

"The exercise will also help to improve the individual skill sets of participating emergency service personnel," NSW SES Mid North Coast region controller, Stephen Hart said.

The exercise will see a team of assessors on the day overseeing the performance of emergency service individuals in managing the mock incident.

The day will conclude with a number of "hot debrief" presentations, in which participants will be able to share the lessons learned during the exercise and allow for the formulation of recommendations on how future multi-agency responses to large scale emergencies could be improved.

Members of the public are encouraged to observe the exercise but are asked to abide by the instructions of emergency service personnel in terms of exclusion zones and safety requirements. For more information contact NSW SES Mid North Coast Region Office on 6592 5800.